The Resources Agency will adopt a new name, the California Natural Resources Agency, on Jan. 1, to better reflect its primary mission. Since 1961, the Resources Agency has been responsible for the safeguarding and stewardship of California’s natural resources.

From water and wildlife management and conservation to wildland fire protection, energy, ocean and coastal policy, land stewardship, climate change adaptation, sustainable living, and the promotion of outdoor recreation, the agency oversees most all of the state’s functions designed to protect California’s natural resources.

In July, Gov. Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill 1464 (Maldonado) authorizing the Resources Agency to change its name to the California Natural Resources Agency. The new agency logo will remain largely the same and the change will be phased in gradually as new supplies are ordered. In this way there will be little or no cost to the agency or any of its departments, boards or commissions save for any replacement costs that would normally be incurred.

California’s Natural Resources Agency is responsible for the state’s natural resource policies, programs and activities. It has 17,000 employees and oversees 25 departments, commissions, boards and conservancies.